Genome-Wide Two-Component System Genes of Cytokinin Analysis and Their Functions of Drought Stress Response in Pinus tabuliformis
- 1College of Life and Environment Science, Huangshan University, Huangshan 245041, China
- 2The Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, No. 300 Bailongsi, Kunming 650224, China
Abstract
Objective: Cytokinin signaling plays an important role in plant growth and development, but cytokinin two-component signaling system (TCS) genes have not been comprehensively reported in conifers. We aimed to identify and analyze the TCS family in Pinus tabuliformis and explore their roles in drought response. Methods: PtTCS genes were identified by BLASTP using Arabidopsis TCS sequences and validated by conserved domain analysis. Phylogenetic, structural, cis-element, GO enrichment, and expression profiling under drought were performed, with qRT-PCR validation. Results: Twenty-two PtTCS genes were identified (three CHKs, four HPs, eight type-A RRs, seven type-B RRs). Most proteins retained canonical domains, though some key residue variations were noted. Five genes (PtCHK2, PtHP1, PtHP4, PtRR2, PtRR4) were significantly upregulated under drought, opposite to the pattern in angiosperms, and rewatering restored expression. Conclusions: The drought-induced upregulation in P. tabuliformis contrasts with angiosperm downregulation, suggesting a distinct cytokinin-mediated drought response in conifers. This study provides the first comprehensive TCS inventory in a conifer and a foundation for functional studies in gymnosperms.
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BibTeX
@article{liu2026genomewide,
title = {{Genome-Wide Two-Component System Genes of Cytokinin Analysis and Their Functions of Drought Stress Response in Pinus tabuliformis}},
author = {Hongmei Liu and Boning Yang and Jian Pan and Zhibing Wan and Lei Zheng},
journal = {Metabolites},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/metabo16100741},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/16/10/741},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Genome-Wide Two-Component System Genes of Cytokinin Analysis and Their Functions of Drought Stress Response in Pinus tabuliformis
AU - Hongmei Liu
AU - Boning Yang
AU - Jian Pan
AU - Zhibing Wan
AU - Lei Zheng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Metabolites
DO - 10.3390/metabo16100741
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/16/10/741
AB - Objective: Cytokinin signaling plays an important role in plant growth and development, but cytokinin two-component signaling system (TCS) genes have not been comprehensively reported in conifers. We aimed to identify and analyze the TCS family in Pinus tabuliformis and explore their roles in drought response. Methods: PtTCS genes were identified by BLASTP using Arabidopsis TCS sequences and validated by conserved domain analysis. Phylogenetic, structural, cis-element, GO enrichment, and expression profiling under drought were performed, with qRT-PCR validation. Results: Twenty-two PtTCS genes were identified (three CHKs, four HPs, eight type-A RRs, seven type-B RRs). Most proteins retained canonical domains, though some key residue variations were noted. Five genes (PtCHK2, PtHP1, PtHP4, PtRR2, PtRR4) were significantly upregulated under drought, opposite to the pattern in angiosperms, and rewatering restored expression. Conclusions: The drought-induced upregulation in P. tabuliformis contrasts with angiosperm downregulation, suggesting a distinct cytokinin-mediated drought response in conifers. This study provides the first comprehensive TCS inventory in a conifer and a foundation for functional studies in gymnosperms.
SN - 2218-1989
ER -